Cristiano Ronaldo has told Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that Man United need to play faster for him - the latest in ESPN's Insider Notebook. Plus: Football's push for mixed-gender matches.
Sources told ESPN that Cristiano Ronaldo's demand for the highest standards at Manchester United prompted manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to urge his players to move the ball faster in the attacking areas to get the best out of Portugal.
Ronaldo has scored five goals in five appearances for United since returning to the club from Juventus in the summer, after a 12-year absence. But sources have told ESPN that Ronaldo has made it clear to Solskjaer and his coaches that United can increase their target ratio further if they get quicker and faster, distributing the ball in the opposition half.
Ronaldo has been positioned in a central attacking position by Solskjaer since making his debut against Newcastle last month, with Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood used as inverted wings with the 36-year-old.
Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes have been used as attacking midfielders behind Ronaldo, but sources said that United's coaching team wants the team's defensive players to pass the ball to the attackers, who in turn allow them to feed Ronaldo and attack opponents. able to take advantage of. Being out of shape on the back.
- Wright Thompson: Ronaldo mania and the fight for Man United's soul
Sources told ESPN that United's coaching staff believe the arrival of Rafael Varane from Real Madrid has helped improve the team's pace of play, with France internationals Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Are more capable of moving the ball with speed and accuracy than baileys.
But work is underway on the training pitch to deliver the ball to Ronaldo quickly, as Solskjaer attempts to make United more brutal in front of goal. — Mark Ogden
Trailblazer Fokkema could pave way for mixed gender football
Ellen Fokkema made Dutch football history last week by becoming the first woman to play for a senior men's team in league play and sources told ESPN that football federations across Europe expect mixed gender matches to become more widespread. .
Fokkema, 20, was banned from continuing to play for his team VV Forte, as the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) only allowed mixed-gender football until he was 19 years old. But after a successful pilot scheme in which Fokkema played seven matches. The KNVB supervision, the Dutch FA, changed its eligibility rules in May 2021. It allowed Fokkema to make history when she came on as a 60th-minute substitute in her side's "4e class" (Dutch ninth tier) opener against Sleut last weekend.
Sources told ESPN that FIFA and UEFA are in discussions with the KNVB to learn more about the pilot plan in the Netherlands, which paved the way for Fokkema's historic presence, and the German FA is also in touch for research results. Fokkema's seven pilot matches in the senior men's team were watched by a KNVB representative and interviewed with his opponents after each match.
Sources said England's amateur clubs are also keen to know more from the Dutch FA, in order to take the Fokkema matter to the English Football Association to change its eligibility rules.
"I think it's a milestone for football in general," Fokkema told ESPN after his debut last weekend. "Women will be able to choose which team to play in ... It's new, that they have the option. I hope I'm not the last one, otherwise it wouldn't have been everything." — Tom Hamilton
Pow! Taekwondo champ is Barca's new head of player care
Barcelona has appointed an Olympic taekwondo champion to head its player care department as President Joan Laporta continues to make changes behind the scenes.
Joel González, who won the gold medal in London 2012 and the bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro four years later, has replaced Pepe Costa, who has moved to Paris Saint-Germain with Lionel Messi. Costa's contract expired on 30 June and Barca did not offer him a new deal, making it easier for him to follow Messi to France. He was known around Barca as "Messi's shadow".
The 31-year-old González was recommended for the role by former handball player Enrique Massip, who now works as an advisor to Barca chief Laporta. In addition to winning gold in London, which named him Spain's Men's Player of the Year in 2012, González is also a two-time Taekwondo world champion in the 58 kg (128 lb) division.
His tasks at Camp Nou will include building and strengthening relationships with players at the club and supporting them with any problems they may have off the pitch. -- Sam Marsden and Moises Lawrence
Mohamed Salah's contract status at Liverpool remains unresolved, with the forward yet to agree a deal to replace his current terms, which expire in June 2023, but sources have told ESPN that uncertainty has led to Meanwhile, his focus and dedication has further enhanced his reputation among his peers.
Salah and fellow forwards Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, who are all free agents at the end of the 2022-23 season, have yet to extend their contracts, but Salah's position is likely to be the most challenging, according to sources. , with the conversation going on.
The former Chelsea and Roma forward has previously ruled out moving to LaLiga, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona having been linked with the 29-year-old in the past, but neither team is in a position to sign Salah. Financial issues at both clubs have led to impending transfer windows and Real's primary focus is on signing Kylian Mbappe. Paris Saint-Germain has also been a fan of Salah in recent seasons, but the summer signing of Lionel Messi has closed the door on any possible move.
Liverpool are aware of the limited options Salah has in terms of moving away from Anfield for a fee in 2022, but with the Egyptian international set to turn next June 30, sources said the club will have to wait long-term. The financial implications of doing so should also be considered. Deal for a player who will be in his mid-30s by the time he expires.
Despite the off-field distraction of his contract, Salah has started the season in impressive form and is the joint top scorer in the Premier League with five goals. Last Saturday's goal at Brentford saw him become the fastest player in Liverpool history to score 100 Premier League goals.
Sources have said Salah has been "sensational" in training and has shown no dismay within the team or to manager Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool made a significant summer signing of RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate, as the club has spent recent months securing new long-term contracts involving Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Andy Robertson, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. — Mark Ogden
Lacazette edges to Arsenal exit door
Sources have told ESPN that Alexandre Lacazette is increasingly likely to leave Arsenal in January as the striker continues to lack play-time. Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Sevilla are among clubs that have expressed interest in Lacazette, which could be used in a player-plus-cash deal. Arsenal have previously traced Sevilla forward Yusuf N-Nesiri.
Lacazette, 30, has made a substitute appearance in the Premier League this season - in a 5-0 loss to Manchester City in August - and the Gunners' absence from European football this season means fewer matches and less chances of rotation. Is.
Manager Mikel Arteta insists Lacazette remains part of his plans, but ESPN reported on 17 September that there is no contract offer on the table, despite his deal expiring at the end of the season. Lacazette is free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1, but will not be able to complete a free transfer until the summer.
However, sources claim the France international has since been making up his mind to take a step forward - a situation that has financial appeal to Arsenal, being able to order a transfer fee if they miss midseason. Will be
The Gunners are looking at options to redraw their forwards, given the situation with Lacazette and Eddie Neketia, who had joined Crystal Palace this summer after Arsenal sources indicated, the player A deal didn't complicate it once the K's agent agreed on a transfer fee. — James Ollie
In-demand Phillips holds Leeds deal talks
Leeds United are in talks with England midfielder Calvin Phillips over a new long-term contract at land Road, sources have told ESPN, amid interest from Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Leeds are aware of a growing interest in Phillips in the wake of his impressive performance during England's race to the Euro 2020 final this summer and to reward the player with a lucrative new deal to avoid the risk of being pulled away from the club are firm.
Sources said both Liverpool and City are monitoring Phillips' progress with Leeds and England, while reports this week linked United with a move as they seek a substitute for West Ham's Declan Rice.
But talks with Leeds are at an early stage, but sources said they are confident a deal can be struck with a player who has become a key figure under coach Marcelo Bilsa. — Mark Ogden